Microsoft pop-up store will open Oct. 26 in Columbia

The "pop-up" store Microsoft has been planning for the Mall in Columbia will open Oct. 26.

Microsoft announced the opening date for the temporary holiday store on Wednesday.

In September, the company said the Columbia store will be one of about 30 temporary shops planned for the U.S. and Canada to coincide with the holiday shopping season.

The outlets are designed to complement Microsoft's nearly two dozen permanent stores. (None of those are in Maryland.)

Microsoft says it wants to give store customers hands-on experience with its products. Kevin Turner, Microsoft COO, had first announced the idea for the pop-ups earlier this year during the Worldwide Partner Conference as a way to expand the company's retail presence in new locations.